My Breeding Goals

Mothering Ability

Does should be good nest builders that will use the nest box. May be protective of kits but not vicious. Able to maintain own weight while nursing a large litter. Priority given to mothers that raise 10+ kits in a litter with no runts. Keep no doe that loses more than first litter due to her action or inaction. Priority goes to keeping offspring of mothers who never lose a litter.

Litter Size

Average over 8 kits per litter.

Health

Never keep a rabbit that requires antibiotics. Should respond well to natural remedies. Do well on natural feed. Easy keepers that gain weight easily. Healthy kits that wean without loss.

Temperament

Bucks should be calm, friendly, never bite humans or does.

Does should be calm, never spooky/easily startled and only protective of nest in late pregnancy or until kits can leave nest. Must be accepting of foster kits. Doe must be accepting of kits being handled from birth and removed for up to 12 hours during extreme heat or cold.

Adult Weight

10+ lbs

Coat Color

Should be hard to see from a distance. Agouti or natural earth tones preferred. 

Coat Type

Full natural length coat. Good for nest building in winter. No rex type. Less resistance to cold weather and more susceptible to sore hocks. No long wool. Don't want to mess with grooming and shearing.

Feed Conversion

Keep replacement stock that does best on natural forage.

Weight at 8 weeks

Only keep largest kits. Weigh and keep records.

Conformation

Blocky body. Meat type. Good loin, shoulder and hind quarters. No physical deformities.

Choosing New Breeders

Prefer meat breed or meat mutt that compliments any of the above traits missing in current stock. Keep track of other breeders working toward the same goals. See how stock sold to others matures. Work out a buck sharing program. Keep pedigree to track both negative and positive traits.